Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I consider a monthly recurring gift to the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal?

Both the donor and the archdiocese benefit from monthly recurring gifts. For you, the process is easy, convenient, and you will receive fewer philanthropic requests. The size of your gift grows significantly over a twelve-month period and you can increase, pause, or stop your monthly donation at any time. The archdiocese benefits by witnessing a reduction in postage and administrative costs, while ensuring a consistent monthly cash flow throughout the year.

When and why was the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal created?

The Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal was created by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr in 1965 to accommodate the surge in the number of Catholics relocating to northern Colorado. During the past half century, our archdiocese has witnessed additional population growth bursts. As with any growing family like our spiritual family, known as the Archdiocese of Denver, this blessing of growth creates additional needs and responsibilities. Thankfully, nearly forty archdiocesan ministries that address the social, educational, and pastoral needs of our spiritual family are funded through Appeal proceeds.

As followers of Christ who embodied perfect charity we are called to support the charitable outreach efforts of our Archdiocesan Church. People are often astounded to learn that providing for the needs of the Church is one of the “Five Precepts of the Catholic Church.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2041-2043) Much like the faithful are asked to support the pastoral programs at their local parishes, they also are called to provide for the material needs of their wider Church -- the Archdiocese of Denver.

I donate to the Appeal every year, so why am I asked to increase my gift?

There are many ministries that face increased demands for services every year. For example, the number of women in their sixties or older who are experiencing homelessness continues to escalate, not to mention the ever-increasing costs to educate our seminarians. It is my hope that the additional sacrifices from our faithful will help offset the surge in costs.

How much does it cost to conduct the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal?

Thanks to streamlined efforts, the total operating costs associated with last year’s Appeal were only 5.3%. As a result, more than 94 cents of every dollar raised was invested in archdiocesan ministries. What a remarkable testament to the practice of Christian stewardship. The overhead costs for the 2018 Appeal are expected to remain unchanged.

Nine Choirs of AngelsLevels of Leadership Giving

This year, the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal is introducing nine levels of giving that correspond to the Nine Choirs of Angels. The primary purpose for initiating these Levels of Leadership Giving is to challenge all members of our faith community to embrace their role in the life and development of our Archdiocesan Church, while also cultivating a spirit of Christian stewardship.